Love Potion #9 Gin Martini: Essential El Guapo Lavender Syrup
Sep 18, 2025
Looking for an elegant and floral cocktail to impress? The 'Love Potion #9' is a fantastic lavender gin martini that's both beautiful and delicious. This sophisticated recipe, created by Iain Harrison from the Mandarin Oriental in Miami, features our popular El Guapo™ Lavender Syrup for a perfect balance of sweet and aromatic notes.
This crisp drink is served at the prestigious MO Bar + Lounge, proving that our El Guapo Lavender Syrup is the key to mastering the definitive lavender gin martini at home.
What is a Lavender Gin Martini?
A lavender gin martini is a modern cocktail that combines the botanical notes of gin with the subtle, floral aroma and flavor of lavender. The key to a great lavender martini is using high-quality lavender syrup to avoid a perfume-like taste. This is where our El Guapo™ Lavender Syrup comes in, providing a natural and balanced floral flavor. It's a refreshing twist on the classic martini, trading traditional olive or lemon notes for a delicate, fragrant profile.
'Love Potion #9' Gin Martini Recipe
This recipe, developed by Iain Harrison, Bar Director of the Mandarin Oriental Miami, is currently served at the MO Bar + Lounge inside the hotel. It makes one cocktail.
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz gin
- 0.5 oz soju
- 0.25 oz St. Germain
- 0.5 oz El Guapo™ Lavender Syrup
- 0.25 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 3 dashes El Guapo™ Love Potion #9 Bitters
- Club soda
- Rose petals (or rose petal ice cubes), for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a shaker with ice.
- Pour the gin, soju, St. Germain, El Guapo™ Lavender Syrup, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and El Guapo™ Love Potion #9 Bitters into the shaker.
- Shake vigorously until the mixture is well chilled.
- Strain the cocktail into a coupe or martini glass.
- Top with a splash of club soda.
- Garnish with rose petals or a rose petal ice cube before serving.
How to Make DIY Lavender Syrup
This simple recipe for lavender syrup will provide you with the perfect base for your lavender gin martini. The syrup will keep in a refrigerator for up to a week.
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup white sugar
- 0.25 cup dried lavender
Instructions
- In a heavy bottomed sauce pot, heat water to a rolling boil.
- Remove water from heat source and add sugar, stirring until it is dissolved.
- Add the dried lavender and allow the mixture to cool. For maximum lavender flavor, refrigerate overnight.
- Strain the syrup through a mesh sieve into a container before use.
Aromatic Depth in the Lavender Gin Martinic
The delicate and complex flavor of this lavender gin martini is achieved through the dual floral and spice modifiers. The El Guapo™ Lavender Syrup provides the necessary balanced sweetness and aromatic base, preventing the lavender from tasting medicinal. Complementary dashes of El Guapo™ Love Potion #9 Bitters then add complex notes of hibiscus and cardamom, enhancing the gin's botanicals and ensuring the final martini is perfectly balanced and sophisticated.
Looking for more cocktail inspiration? Explore our complete collection of recipes and discover your next favorite drink. Have a question? Contact us for assistance, or visit El Guapo’s homepage to explore everything we offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of gin should I use for a floral cocktail?
For a lavender gin martini, a smooth, floral, or citrus-forward gin works best. Look for a gin with a gentle botanical profile that won't clash with the lavender. Avoid gins that are too juniper-heavy or overly robust.
Can I make this cocktail without a shaker?
A shaker is recommended for chilling and properly mixing the ingredients, but if you don't have one, you can stir the ingredients with ice in a mixing glass. Just be aware that stirring will not aerate the drink as much as shaking, which can slightly affect the texture.
What do El Guapo™ Love Potion #9 Bitters taste like?
El Guapo™ Love Potion #9 Bitters have a complex, spicy, and aromatic flavor profile. They feature notes of hibiscus, cardamom, and rose, which complement the floral notes of the El Guapo™ Lavender Syrup and add a rich depth to this lavender gin martini.
